The MPsâ expenses scandal would not have been exposed in the climate of fear created by the phone hacking inquiry, PR veteran
Max Clifford has claimed.

Max Clifford gave evidence to a parliamentary committee

Such stories would not be printed, as editors are afraid of being accused of using âdubious methodsâ to gain information, the publicist said.

The 2009 expenses scandal caused public outrage following the release and subsequent publication of MPs’ alleged misuse of permitted allowances.

Giving evidence to a parliamentary committee, Mr Clifford insisted celebrities were protected by lawyers and called for a regulator that âcontrols the excessesâ of the press and protects ordinary citizens.

The 68-year-old added: âMembers of the public come to me every day because thereâs nowhere else for them to go.â

He claimed he had ânever knownâ existing regulator the Press Complaints Commission to help anybody.

He was giving evidence alongside former News of the World editor Phil Hall who said staff cuts were equally to blame for the decline in investigative journalism.